And now I can announce something REALLY exciting!!!

Casey and Whit are expecting!!! YAY!!!! I'm so excited!! Whit informed me by having Holden "call me" and say "I'm going to be a big brother". It was so cute. I was laughing and crying at the same time. I want so bad to move back to Utah and be with them! A new grandbaby. A new gift from Heavenly Father. Thank you! We are thrilled. =)

Time for a testimony

Yesterday was Sunday. Cami and Nikki decided to drive home with me from church while Aliana waited for Vinny. On the way home, I told the girls that the missionaries were coming over that afternoon. Cami got quiet for a minute. Then she asked me if she could bear her testimony. I was surprised, but of course I said yes. Cami went on to bear one of the most beautiful testimonies I have ever heard. I was so touched. Suddenly Nikki spoke up. "Can I bear mine too, Mom?" she asked. Well of course the answer was yes - and so then I was delighted and touched to hear a second testimony from my other daughter. After they were done, I felt the spirit of it, and I asked them if I could bear my testimony to them. Yes, they said - and so I did. I felt so special as we turned into the driveway. I asked Cami what had made her decide to do that. "Well," she replied matter-of-factly, "the ,missionaries challenged us to bear our testimonies a few weeks ago, and since they are coming to check up on us today, I decided I better get it done". Nikki nodded her head in agreement. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Here I thought my kids were having some kind of "spiritual moment all on their own - and they were trying to get their "quota" done. It was cool though, Aliana bore hers when she got home and we told her about what happened in the car. Vinny did too. It ended up being a really neat start to our afternoon. And we were proud to report to the missionaries, that we had indeed born our testimonies that week!

So Dad has a birthday!

Well Aug 17 has come and gone - but Vinny celebrated his 53rd birthday! We had a great time with family and friends - and had a fun get together. The girls had a blast shopping for him - and we appreciate everyone calling and coming over! What a fun day! Enjoy the pictures. Thanks for the homemade bread, Mom and Dad!! YUMMMMMMMMMMM!! All the way from Utah!! =)

Back to school!! FINALLY!

So there we were. School shopping. Just us girls. Daddy stayed home with Frankie, our shit-zhu and boy did we have a blast. There is a special bond between Mothers and daughters and school shopping. Don't get me wrong, I liked taking my boys - but they were a lot different than taking girls. For one thing - back then they never had anything cute like they do now - and boys would wear anything. And I remember by the time Morgan graduated - he was SO picky about where he shopped.... OUCH. But we had so much fun yesterday. We stayed within our budget - in fact - we stayed well below it and boy was Dad pleased! Then we came home and had the famous "fashion show". I think that's my favorite part. Watching the girls get all dolled up and deciding what they are wearing the first day of school. NIkki and Aliana are now registered for school. They are both going to take Spanish this year so they can talk to Morgan when he gets off his mission! HAHAHAHAH! I think that's hilarious. Cami seems to really like her new teacher - I can't believe she will be in middle school next year and the girls will be in high school next year. Didn't they just get here??? Where does time go? They are wonderful young ladies - and they are growing so fast. All they want for Christmas is to go to Utah to visit family. That's their only wish. I hope we can make it happen. At any rate.. say hi to the "goils". Aren't they pretty?

All the cousins from Raleigh and New York!

We had a family fun day with our cousins from New York. Pictured here are Tallie and Mike - Chris and Eddie - Julie and her boyfriend, Sondro and Chellie - and the girls - David and Amy - and Hailey -Chris's friend - (I can't remember his name) and me. Vinny must have been taking the picture. We love family here!@! Thanks for coming and seeing us. This was just before we moved.

Elder Mckell

Elder Mckell : Hi Mom!!!

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

What a great man! I will always remember him as a great individual who taught me something. Thanks, Randy!

What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

Watch. And then smile. =) A pure classic.

Aliana turns 14!

Pictures are coming soon! We just have to download them. Aliana turned 14 on Saturday. It was a real treat. Aliana, you have brought much joy into our lives. I have watched you grow with much amusement, and much amazement. You are such a typical teenager! You love all the things that every girl your age loves, and that's a good thing. You are so beautiful! Never forget how much your Mother loves you, Aliana. Never. I will always be here for you. You make my life so much better!

We had Nana and Granddad here from New York Friday night and had a huge bbq with a lot of family and friends. She had a great time and Saturday we went shopping. It's so fun to watch her grow and develop into such a beautiful young lady. She is now a Mia-Maid. Unbelievable!! My Mom bought her the cutest outfit for school while she was out here for her birthday. So - this week we are just missing everyone and reading everyone's blog's from Utah and really feeling family. Last night for Family Home Evening, we wrote Uncle Boyd letters and sent them out to him. He has been an amazing influence in our lives. We really love him a lot.

Vinny has been busy visiting with the Chinese this week. We have been busy still trying to get settled into our house. Elder McKell is doing fantastic! He was made District Leader, and we are so very proud of him. We love his letters, and we are sending him a care package this week.

We miss and love you all. Pictures are soon coming!!